Tip-offs over social welfare fraud rise by 600%

ALMOST 6,500 reports of suspected social welfare fraud were made to the authorities by members of the public last year, a 600% increase on the previous year.

In the first three months of this year, the Department of Social Protection had received 2,729 anonymous reports of possible fraud.

Meanwhile, more than 1,200 people have applied to have their Jobseeker’s Benefit payments transferred to another EU country so far this year in a move which could cost the state more than €3 million.